SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE HAVING AN INTEGRATED POSITION SENSOR

Description

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a seat track assembly for seat of a motor vehicle. In particular, this invention relates to a seat track assembly having a sensor integrated into a track system thereof for identifying a plurality of positions for the seat.

2. Background of the Invention

[0002] A seat track assembly extends along a floor of a motor vehicle and supports a seat thereabove. Typically, the seat track assembly includes a stationary rail secured to a floor and a movable rail secured to the seat. The movable rail slidingly engages the stationary rail to move the seat between a plurality of positions, The plurality of positions allows the seat to be adaptable for use by persons of different heights. For example, the seat may be moved to a forward position closer to a steering wheel to give a driver greater control over the steering wheel or to allow the driver to reach the control pedals with their feet Alternatively, the seat may be moved to the forward position to create extra cargo space behind the seat or to accommodate taller occupants of a rear seat.

[0003] The position of the seat can influence the effectiveness of an airbag system. Airbag systems, which include an airbag stored in a housing, are installed throughout a passenger compartment to absorb a collision shock created upon motor vehicle impact. For example, the airbag can be stored within the steering wheel or an instrument panel for the safety of an occupant of the motor vehicle. The airbag inflates with gas in response to a signal generated by a sensor upon motor vehicle impact. Typically, the inflation of the airbag occurs at a high deployment rate so that the airbag is deployed immediately upon motor vehicle impact. But when the seat is in the forward position, a lower deployment rate is desired to reduce the risk of injury to the occupant thereof.

[0004] Systems to control the deployment rate of the airbag based upon the position of the seat are known to those skilled in the art. United States Patent 6,053, 529 to Frusti et al. discloses a deployable passenger restraint system for a motor vehicle having a seat mounted on a seat track assembly. The seat track assembly includes a movable rail that slides relative to a stationary rail. The system includes a sensor flange having a predetermined length secured along an outer surface of the movable rail, and a sensor extending out from the stationary rail. As the movable rail slides along the stationary rail to move the seat, the sensor detects the absence or presence of the sensor flange and generates a signal representing the position of the seat. The signal is sent to a processor, which increases or decreases the deployment rate of a deployable restraint depending upon the position of the seat.

[0005] US 5,967,549 (corresponding to the preambles of independent product claims 1 and 16) discloses a vehicle occupant restraint device control system for use in a vehicle to selectively control the operation of safety devices such as one or more airbags includes a seat position sensor device which detects the position of a seat relative to a selected component of the vehicle, and a controller which receives signals from the seat position sensor device. A controller device processes the signals from the seat position sensor device and determines whether to activate, deactivate or modify the deployment of one or more vehicle occupant restraint devices, such as airbags or seat belt pretensioners, depending upon the position of the vehicle seat relative to a selected component of the vehicle structure, such as the steering wheel or instrument panel.

[0006] US 5,842,283 and EP 0 118 607 disclose position detection apparatuses. However, in these documents no mention is made of airbag systems for vehicle seats.

[0007] Furthermore, US 4,909,560 discloses a digital vehicle seat position sensor which comprises a magnetic field sensor and a strip of magnetic poles which are moved relative to one another as the vehicle seat position is changed to produce a square wave pulse which is counted.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] The invention is defined in claims 1 and 16 as well as by the steps disclosed in method claim 25; further structural features and method steps are disclosed in the dependent product and method claims respectively.

[0009] A seat track assembly for a seat of a motor vehicle having a floor and an airbag includes a stationary rail fixedly secured to the floor. The seat track assembly also includes a movable rail fixedly secured to the seat and slidably engaged with the stationary rail to move the seat therealong. The movable rail extends along a length between a forward position and a rearward position. A shunt defining an elongated body extends along a portion of the length of the movable rail. A sensor is fixedly secured to the stationary rail and disposed adjacent the shunt to produce a position signal indicating a position of the sensor relative to the shunt. The sensor and the shunt are disposed within the stationary and movable rails to be protected thereby.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] Advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side schematic view of a seat and a seat track assembly positioned within a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle;

Figure 2 is a side view, partially exploded and cut away, of a seat track assembly of one embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of Figure 2.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

[0011] Referring to the Figures, a seat, generally shown at 10, is positioned within a passenger compartment 12 of a motor vehicle 14. The seat 10 includes a seat cushion 16, a seat back 18, and a head restraint 20 for supporting an occupant of the motor vehicle 14 thereon. Although the seat 10 shown in Figure 1 is a driver side front seat, it is contemplated that the description below is equally applicable to a passenger side front seat or to additional seats positioned throughout the passenger compartment 12.

[0012] A seat track assembly, generally indicated at 22, extends along a floor 24 of the motor vehicle 14 and supports the seat 10 thereabove. The seat track assembly 20 allows for movement of the seat 10 between a forward position, in which the seat 10 is in close proximity to a steering wheel 26, a rearward position, in which the seat 10 is away from the steering wheel 26, and various intermediate positions therebetween. Movement of the seat 10 allows the seat 10 to be adaptable for occupants of different heights. For example, the seat 10 may be moved to the forward position to allow a driver to reach control pedals (not shown) with the feet. In addition, the seat 10 may be moved to the forward position to create extra cargo space behind the seat 10, or to accommodate taller occupants of rear seats (not shown). Movement of the seat 10 may be achieved manually or through a power system (not shown).

[0013] The seat track assembly 22 includes a stationary rail 28 and a movable rail 30. The stationary rail 28 is fixedly secured to the floor 24 by a plurality of floor brackets 32. The stationary rail 28 includes inner sides 34 and a lower cross member 36 extending between the inner sides 34. Each of the inner sides 34 defines an arcuate end 38 for engaging the movable rail 30 to slide the seat 10 therealong.

[0014] The movable rail 30 is fixedly secured to the seat 10 by seat brackets 40. The movable rail 30 extends along a length between a forward position and a rearward position. The movable rail 30 includes outer sides 42 and an upper cross member 44 extending between the outer sides 42. The outer sides 42 define U-shaped ends 46, which engage the arcuate end 38 of the inner sides 32 as the movable rail 30 slides along the stationary rail 28. A stop 48 extends down from the movable rail 30 to limit movement thereof relative to the stationary rail 28.

[0015] A shunt, generally shown at 50, defines an elongated body 52 extending along a portion of the length of the movable rail 30. The shunt 50 is fixedly secured to the upper cross member 44 by a securing flange 54. Rivets 56 hold the securing flange 54 to the upper cross member 44. The shunt 50 is positioned between the outer sides 42 of the movable rail 30. This positioning protects the shunt 50 from wear and tear that might otherwise cause weakening of the attachment of the shunt 50 to the movable rail 30.

[0016] The shunt 50 includes a ferromagnetic surface 58 and a non-ferromagnetic surface 60 extending along the elongated body 52. The shunt 50 defines an interface 59 where the ferromagnetic surface 58 and the non-ferromagnetic surface 60 meet. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the ferromagnetic surface 58 extends along approximately forty percent (40%) of the elongated body 52 and the non-ferromagnetic surface 60 extends along approximately sixty percent (60%) of the elongated body 52. The percentages of the ferromagnetic surface 58 and the non-ferromagnetic surface 60 will, however, vary depending on the specific implementation of the invention.

[0017] In the preferred embodiment, the shunt 50 has a thin steel support 62 extending therealong. The steel support 62 is used for the ferromagnetic surface 58. The non-ferromagnetic surface 60 is a thermoplastic material that is molded over the steel support 62. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the steel support 62 does not have to extend along the entire shunt 50, and that the non-ferromagnetic surface 60 may be fabricated to support itself.

[0018] A sensor 64 is operatively secured to the stationary rail 26. The sensor 64 is an Optek Hall effect sensor having a U-shape configruration when viewed from the end shown in Figure 3. The sensor 64 measures the magnetic field strength surrounding it. The sensor 64 includes a sensor cross member 68 and sensor sides 66 extending perpendicularly therefrom. The sensor sides 66 extend up on either side of the shunt 50 so that the sensor 64 is disposed adjacent the shunt 50.

[0019] Depending on where the sensor 64 is along the length of the shunt 50 will determine the strength of the magnetic field which will, in turn, identify the position of the seat 10. A sensor bracket 70, which is preferably a stamped metal bracket, holds the sensor sides 66 and the sensor cross member 68 in place relative to each other. The sensor bracket 70 also fixedly secures the sensor 64 to the lower cross member 36 so that the sensor 64 is disposed within the inner sides 34 of the stationary rail 28. Thus, the sensor 64 is protected from the environment outside of the seat track assembly 20.

[0020] Alternatively, it will be appreciated that the shunt 50 can be secured within the stationary rail 28 so that the elongated body 52 extends along a portion of a length thereof, and that the sensor 64 can be secured within the movable rail 30.

[0021] A wire harness 72 is secured to the sensor 64 with fasteners 74. The wire harness 72 provides power to the sensor 64 from a power source (not shown). In the embodiment shown, the fasteners 74 are bolts that are tightened in place using nuts 78. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any fastener that is capable of withstanding the environment may be used in place of the bolts 74 and the nuts 78. The sensor 64 and the fasteners 74 must be secure enough to act as a limiter. More specifically, the sensor 64 will abut the stop 48 to prevent the movable rail 30 from moving therepast.

[0022] In operation, when the sensor 64 senses the presence of the ferromagnetic surface 58, the sensor 64 will transmit the position signal through a signal conductor in the wire harness 72 to a controller 76. Depending on how the controller 76 is programmed, the position signal will identify the seat 10 as being forward or rearward of a position identified by the interface 59 where the ferromagnetic surface 58 meets the non-ferromagnetic surface 60. As should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the position signal is either present or not, i.e., a digital signal, and to what seat position (forward or rearward) the position signal is assigned to is a design choice.

[0023] If the seat 10 is identified as being in the forward position, the controller 76 transmits a control signal to an airbag controller 80, which will then generate an airbag control signal to reduce the deployment rate of an airbag 82. Conversely, if the seat 10 is identified as being in the rearward position, the controller 76 will transmit a control signal to the airbag controller 80, which will then generate an airbag control signal to increase the deployment rate of the airbag 82.

[0024] Although the foregoing description has been described in relation to the seat 10 of a motor vehicle 14, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention could be installed in conjunction with any type of seat for any vehicle.

[0025] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

[0026] Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A seat track assembly for a seat of a motor vehicle having a floor and an airbag, said seat track assembly (22) comprising:

a stationary rail (28) adapted to be fixedly secured to the floor;

a movable rail (30) adapted to be fixedly secured to the seat and slidably engaged with said stationary rail to move the seat therealong, said movable rail (30) extending along a length between a forward position and a rearward position;

characterized by
a shunt (50) defining an elongated body extending along a portion of said length of said movable rail (30); and
a sensor (64) fixedly secured to said stationary rail (28) and disposed adjacent said shunt (50) to produce a position signal indicating a position of said sensor (64) relative to said shunt (50) whereby said sensor (64) and said shunt (50) are disposed within said stationary and movable rails (28, 30) to be protected thereby.

2. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stationary rail (28) includes inner sides and a lower cross member extending between said inner sides.

3. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said sensor (64) is secured to said stationary rail (28) between said inner sides.

4. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said sensor (64) includes a sensor cross member and sensor sides extending perpendicularly therefrom.

5. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said sensor sides extend up on either side of said shunt (50).

6. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said shunt (50) includes a ferromagnetic surface.

7. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said shunt (50) includes a non-ferromagnetic surface disposed adjacent to and co-planar with said ferromagnetic surface.

8. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said shunt (50) defines an interface between said ferromagnetic surface and said non-ferromagnetic surface.

9. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said sensor (64) is fixedly secured to said lower cross member.

10. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said sensor (64) includes a sensor bracket for fixedly securing said sensor to said stationary rail.

11. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said movable rail (30) includes outer sides and an upper cross member.

12. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said shunt (50) is positioned between said outer sides.

13. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said shunt (50) is fixedly secured to said upper cross member.

14. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said shunt (50) includes a flange for fixedly securing said shunt to said movable rail.

15. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said movable rail (30) includes a stop extending therethrough.

16. A seat track assembly for a seat of a motor vehicle having a floor and an airbag, said seat track assembly comprising:

a stationary rail (28) adapted to be fixedly secured to the floor and extending along a length between a front end and a back end ;

a movable rail (30) adapted to be fixedly secured to the seat and slidably engaged with said stationary rail (28) to move the seat therealong;

characterized by
a shunt (50) fixedly secured to said stationary rail, said shunt (50) defining an elongated body extending along a portion of said length of said stationary rail (28); and
a sensor (64) disposed adjacent said shunt to produce a position signal indicating a position of said sensor (64) relative to said shunt (50) whereby said sensor and said shunt are disposed within said stationary and movable rails to be protected thereby.

17. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said shunt (50) includes a ferromagnetic surface.

18. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said shunt (50) includes a non-ferromagnetic surface.

19. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said shunt (50) defines an interface between said ferromagnetic surface and said non-ferromagnetic surface.

20. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said movable rail (30) includes outer sides and an upper cross member.

21. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein said sensor (64) is fixedly secured to said movable rail.

22. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 21 wherein said sensor (64) is positioned between said outer sides.

23. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said sensor (64) includes a sensor cross member and sensor sides extending perpendicularly therefrom.

24. A seat track assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein said sensor (64) sides extend up on either side of said shunt.

25. A method for controlling a deployment rate of an airbag of a motor vehicle having a seat and a seat track assembly including a stationary rail (28), a sensor (64) disposed within the stationary rail, a movable rail (30), and a shunt (50) disposed within the movable rail, the sensor and the shunt being disposed within said stationary and moveable rails to be protected thereby, the method comprising the steps of:

sensing a magnetic field using the sensor (64) and the shunt (50); producing a position signal indicating the position of the seat based on the magnetic field sensed by the sensor (64); and

varying the deployment rate of the airbag based upon the position signal.

26. A method as set forth in claim 25 including the step of sending the position signal to a controller prior to the step of varying the deployment rate of the airbag based upon the position signal.

27. A method as set forth in claim 26 including the step of sending a control signal from the controller to an airbag controller during the step of varying the deployment rate of the airbag based upon the position signal.

28. A method as set forth in claim 27 including the step of sliding the shunt (50) along the sensor (64) during the step of sensing the position of the sensor (64) relative to the shunt (50).

Ansprüche

1. Sitzschienenanordnung für einen Sitz eines Kraftfahrzeugs mit einem Boden und einem Airbag, wobei die Sitzschienenanordnung (22) aufweist:

eine stationäre Schiene (28) zur Befestigung an dem Boden;

eine bewegbare Schiene (30) zur Befestigung an dem Sitz, die verschiebbar mit der stationären Schiene im Eingriff ist zur Bewegung des Sitzes entlang dieser, wobei die bewegbare Schiene (30) sich entlang einer Länge zwischen einer vorderen und einer hinteren Position erstreckt;

gekennzeichnet durch
einen Abzweig (50) der einen sich entlang eines Abschnitts der Länge der bewegbaren Schiene (30) erstreckenden Längskörper bzw. länglichen Körper definiert; und
einen Sensor (64), der an der stationären Schiene (28) befestigt ist und benachbart zu dem Abzweig (50) angeordnet ist, und ein Positionssignal erzeugt, das eine Position des Sensors (64) relativ zu dem Abzweig (50) angibt, wobei der Sensor (64) und der Abzweig (50) innerhalb der stationären und bewegbaren Schienen (28, 30) angeordnet sind, um hierdurch geschützt zu sein bzw. zu werden.

2. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die stationäre Schiene (28) Innenseiten und eine untere Querstrebe, die sich zwischen den Innenseiten erstreckt, aufweist.

3. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 2, bei dem der Sensor (64) an der stationären Schiene (28) zwischen den Innenseiten gesichert bzw. befestigt ist.

4. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 3, bei dem der Sensor (64) eine Sensorquerstrebe und Sensorseiten, die sich hiervon senkrecht erstrecken, aufweist.

5. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 4, bei der die Sensorseiten sich von beiden Seiten des Abzweigs (50) nach oben bzw. aufwärts erstrecken.

6. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 5, bei dem der Abzweig (50) eine ferromagnetische Oberfläche aufweist.

7. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 6, bei der der Abzweig eine nicht-ferromagnetische Oberfläche aufweist, die benachbart zu und coplanar mit der ferromagnetischen Oberfläche angeordnet ist.

8. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 7, bei der der Abzweig (50) eine Schnittstelle zwischen der ferromagnetischen Oberfläche und der nicht-ferromagnetischen Oberfläche definiert.

9. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 8, bei der der Sensor (64) an der unteren Querstrebe befestigt ist.

10. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 9, bei der der Sensor (64) einen Sensorbügel zur Befestigung des Sensors an der stationären Schiene aufweist.

11. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 10, bei der die bewegbare Schiene (30) Außenseiten und eine obere Querstrebe aufweist.

12. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 11, bei der der Abzweig (50) zwischen den Außenseiten positioniert ist.

13. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 12, bei der der Abzweig (50) an der oberen Querstrebe befestigt ist.

14. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 13, bei der der Abzweig (50) einen Flansch zur Befestigung des Abzweigs an der bewegbaren Schiene aufweist.

15. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 14, bei der die bewegbare Schiene (30) einen sich durch sie erstreckenden Stopper bzw. Anschlag aufweist.

16. Sitzschienenanordnung für einen Sitz eines Kraftfahrzeugs mit einem Boden und einem Airbag, wobei die Sitzschienenanordnung aufweist:

eine stationäre Schiene (28) zur Befestigung an dem Boden, die sich entlang einer Länge zwischen einem vorderen Ende und einem hinteren Ende erstreckt;

eine bewegbare Schiene (30) zur Befestigung an dem Sitz, die verschiebbar mit der stationären Schiene (28) zur Bewegung des Sitzes entlang dieser im Eingriff ist;

gekennzeichnet durch
einen Abzweig (50), der an der stationären Schiene befestigt ist, wobei der Abzweig (50) einen Längskörper bzw. länglichen Körper definiert, der sich entlang eines Abschnitts der Länge der stationären Schiene (28) erstreckt; und
einen Sensor (64), der benachbart zu dem Abzweig angeordnet ist zur Erzeugung eines Positionssignals, das eine Position des Sensors (64) relativ zu dem Abzweig (50) angibt, wobei der Sensor und der Abzweig in der stationären und der bewegbaren Schiene angeordnet sind, um durch diese geschützt zu sein bzw. zu werden.

17. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 16, bei dem der Abzweig (50) eine ferromagnetische Oberfläche aufweist.

18. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 17, bei dem der Abzweig (50) eine nicht-ferromagnetische Oberfläche aufweist.

19. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 18, bei dem der Abzweig (50) eine Schnittstelle zwischen der ferromagnetischen Oberfläche und der nicht-ferromagnetischen Oberfläche definiert.

20. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 19, bei der die bewegbare Schiene (30) Außenseiten und eine obere Querstrebe aufweist.

21. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 20, bei der der Sensor (64) an der bewegbaren Schiene befestigt ist.

22. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 21, bei der der Sensor (64) zwischen den Außenseiten positioniert ist.

23. Sitzschienenanordnung nach Anspruch 22, bei der der Sensor (64) eine Sensorquerstrebe und Sensorseiten, die sich hiervon senkrecht erstrecken, aufweist.

24. Sitzschienanordnung nach Anspruch 23, bei der die Seiten des Sensors (64) sich auf beiden Seiten des Abzweigs nach oben bzw. aufwärts erstrecken.

25. Verfahren zur Steuerung einer Auslösungsrate bzw. - stärke eines Airbags eines Kraftfahrzeugs mit einem Sitz und einer Sitzschienanordnung, mit einer stationären Schiene (28), einem Sensor (64), der in der stationären Schiene angeordnet ist, einer bewegbaren Schiene (30) und einem Abzweig, der innerhalb der bewegbaren Schiene angeordnet ist, wobei der Sensor und der Abzweig innerhalb der stationären und der bewegbaren Schiene angeordnet sind, um durch diese geschützt zu sein bzw. zu werden, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte aufweist:

Erfassen eines Magnetfelds unter Verwendung des Sensors (64) und des Abzweigs (50); Erzeugen eines Positionssignals, das die Position des Sitzes auf der Grundlage des durch den Sensor (64) erfassten Magnetfeldes angibt; und variieren der Auslösungsrate bzw. -stärke des Airbags auf der Grundlage des Positionssignals.

26. Verfahren nach Anspruch 25 mit dem Schritt des Sendens des Positionssignals an eine Steuereinrichtung vor dem Schritt des Variierens des Auslösungsrate bzw. -stärke des Airbags auf der Grundlage des Positionssignals.

27. Verfahren nach Anspruch 26 mit dem Schritt des Sendens eines Steuersignals von der Steuereinrichtung zu einer Airbagsteuerung während des Schrittes des Variierens der Auslösungsrate bzw. -Stärke des Airbags auf der Grundlage des Positionssignals.

28. Verfahren nach Anspruch 27 mit dem Schritt des Verschiebens des Abzweigs (50) entlang des Sensors (64) während des Schrittes des Erfassens der Position des Sensors (64) relativ zu dem Abzweig (50).

Revendications

1. Dispositif de glissière de siège pour un siège d'un véhicule à moteur ayant un plancher et un coussin d'air, ledit dispositif de glissière de siège (22) comportant :

un rail fixe (28) adapté pour être attaché de manière fixe au plancher ;

un rail mobile (30) adapté pour être attaché de manière fixe au siège et pour venir en contact de manière coulissante avec ledit rail fixe pour déplacer le siège le long de celui-ci, ledit rail mobile (30) s'étendant le long d'une longueur entre une position avant et une position arrière ;

caractérisé par
une dérivation (50) définissant un corps allongé s'étendant le long d'une partie de ladite longueur dudit rail mobile (30) ; et
un capteur (64) attaché de manière fixe audit rail fixe (28) et disposé adjacent à ladite dérivation (50) pour produire un signal de position indiquant une position dudit capteur (64) par rapport à ladite dérivation (50) de sorte que ledit capteur (64) et ladite dérivation (50) sont disposés à l'intérieur desdits rails fixe et mobile (28, 30) pour être protégés par ceux-ci.

2. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 1 dans lequel ledit rail fixe (28) comporte des côtés intérieurs et un élément transversal inférieur s'étendant entre lesdits côtés intérieurs.

3. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 2 dans lequel ledit capteur (64) est attaché audit rail fixe (28) entre lesdits côtés intérieurs.

4. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 3 dans lequel ledit capteur (64) comporte un élément transversal de capteur et des côtés de capteur s'étendant perpendiculairement à celui-ci.

5. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 4 dans lequel lesdits côtés de capteur s'étendent vers le haut sur l'un des deux côtés de ladite dérivation (50).

6. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 5 dans lequel ladite dérivation (50) comporte une surface ferromagnétique.

7. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 6 dans lequel ladite dérivation (50) comporte une surface non ferromagnétique disposée adjacente à ladite surface ferromagnétique et coplanaire à celle-ci.

8. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 7 dans lequel ladite dérivation (50) définit une interface entre ladite surface ferromagnétique et ladite surface non ferromagnétique.

9. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 8 dans lequel ledit capteur (64) est attaché de manière fixe audit élément transversal inférieur.

10. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 9 dans lequel ledit capteur (64) comporte un support de capteur pour attacher de manière fixe ledit capteur audit rail fixe.

11. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 10 dans lequel ledit rail mobile (30) comporte des côtés extérieurs et un élément transversal supérieur.

12. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 11 dans lequel ladite dérivation (50) est positionnée entre lesdits côtés extérieurs.

13. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 12 dans lequel ladite dérivation (50) est attachée de manière fixe audit élément transversal supérieur.

14. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 13 dans lequel ladite dérivation (50) comporte une bride pour attacher de manière fixe ladite dérivation audit rail mobile.

15. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 14 dans lequel ledit rail mobile (30) comporte une butée s'étendant à travers celui-ci.

16. Dispositif de glissière de siège pour un siège de véhicule à moteur ayant un plancher et un coussin d'air, ledit dispositif de glissière de siège comportant :

un rail fixe (28) adapté pour être attaché de manière fixe au plancher et s'étendant le long d'une longueur entre une extrémité avant et une extrémité arrière ;

un rail mobile (30) adapté pour être attaché de manière fixe au siège et pour venir en contact de manière coulissante avec ledit rail fixe (28) pour déplacer le siège le long de celui-ci ;

caractérisé par
une dérivation (50) attachée de manière fixe audit rail fixe, ladite dérivation (50) définissant un corps allongé s'étendant le long d'une partie de ladite longueur dudit rail fixe (28) ; et
un capteur (64) disposé adjacent à ladite dérivation pour produire un signal de position indiquant une position dudit capteur (64) par rapport à ladite dérivation (50) de sorte que ledit capteur (64) et ladite dérivation sont disposés à l'intérieur desdits rails fixe et mobile pour être protégés par ceux-ci.

17. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 16 dans lequel ladite dérivation (50) comporte une surface ferromagnétique.

18. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 17 dans lequel ladite dérivation (50) comporte une surface non ferromagnétique.

19. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 18 dans lequel ladite dérivation (50) définit une interface entre ladite surface ferromagnétique et ladite surface non ferromagnétique.

20. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 19 dans lequel ledit rail mobile (30) comporte des côtés extérieurs et un élément transversal supérieur.

21. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 20 dans lequel ledit capteur (64) est attaché de manière fixe audit rail mobile.

22. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 21 dans lequel ledit capteur (64) est positionné entre lesdits côtés extérieurs.

23. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 22 dans lequel ledit capteur (64) comporte un élément transversal de capteur et des côtés de capteur s'étendant perpendiculairement à partir de celui-ci.

24. Dispositif de glissière de siège selon la revendication 23 dans lequel lesdits côtés de capteur (64) s'étendent vers le haut sur l'un des deux côtés de ladite dérivation.

25. Procédé pour commander une vitesse de déploiement d'un coussin d'air d'un véhicule à moteur ayant un siège et un dispositif de glissière de siège comportant un rail fixe (28), un capteur (64) disposé à l'intérieur du rail fixe, un rail mobile (30), et une dérivation (50) disposée à l'intérieur du rail mobile, le capteur et la dérivation étant disposés à l'intérieur desdits rails fixe et mobile pour être protégés par ceux-ci, le procédé comportant les étapes consistant à :

détecter un champ magnétique en utilisant le capteur (64) et la dérivation (50) ; produire un signal de position indiquant la position du siège sur la base du champ magnétique détecté par le capteur (64) ; et

faire varier la vitesse de déploiement du coussin d'air sur la base du signal de position.

26. Procédé selon la revendication 25 comportant l'étape consistant à transmettre le signal de position à un contrôleur avant l'étape consistant à faire varier la vitesse de déploiement du coussin d'air sur la base du signal de position.

27. Procédé selon la revendication 26 comportant l'étape consistant à transmettre un signal de commande à partir du contrôleur jusqu'à un contrôleur de coussin d'air pendant l'étape consistant à faire varier la vitesse de déploiement du coussin d'air sur la base du signal de position.

28. Procédé selon la revendication 27 comportant l'étape consistant à faire coulisser la dérivation (50) le long du capteur (64) pendant l'étape consistant à détecter la position du capteur (64) par rapport à la dérivation (50).

Drawing